Role of Applied Microbiology for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Jharkhand

Indian Journal of Advanced Botany (IJAB) ISSN: 2582-9475, Volume-5 Issue-2, October, 2025 29 Published By: Lattice Science Publication (LSP) © Copyright: All rights reserved. Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijb.B106005021025 DOI: 10.54105/ijab.B1060.05021025 Journal Website: www.ijb.latticescipub.com Role of Applied Microbiology for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Jharkhand Monalisha Saha Abstract: Small and marginal farmers in Jharkhand face a range of challenges, including acidic and poorly fertilised soil, irregular rainfall, and recurring attacks by pests and diseases, which significantly restrict agricultural productivity [1]. This review highlights the potential for applied microbiology to be an economically viable and environmentally sustainable approach, utilising soil fertility enhancement, enhancing plant resistance, and reducing the need for synthetic chemicals [2]. Different plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), including biofertilizers, phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), cyanobacteria, and biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma and Bacillus, were assessed through a rigorous review of indexed research articles on Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar [3]. The results indicate that these microbial products can enhance nutrient-use efficiency by 10 to 25% and stabilise crop yields by 5 to 20% and penetrate the region's soil and climate limitations [4]. The article also includes field-friendly applications of microbial technologies, social innovations like women-inoculant production, and environmental benefits such as improved soil carbon sequestration and reduced chemical use. A plan for scaling up the technologies has been prepared, focusing on quality control, farmer training, and efficient extension services. Overall, this study exemplifies the central role of applied microbiology in advancing sustainable development, food security, ecological balance, and resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Jharkhand. Keywords: PGPR, Biofertilizer, AMF, Trichoderma, Cyanobacteria, Phosphate-Solubilising Bacteria, Soil Health, Pulses, Rice, Jharkhand, Sustainable Agriculture Nomenclature: PGPR: Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria PSB: Phosphate-Solubilising Bacteria AMF: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi N: Nitrogen P: Phosphorus Zn: Zinc ISR: Induced Systemic Resistance PGPMs: Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms I. INTRODUCTION Agriculture in Jharkhand is primarily rain-fed, and crops such as rice, pulses, and minor millets are grown. However, alkaline and low-fertility soils still restrict productivity [1] throughout the entire state. Manuscript received on 07 September 2025 | Revised Manuscript received on 07 October 2025 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 October 2025 | Manuscript published on 30 October 2025. *Correspondence Author(s) Dr. Monalisha Saha*, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, S.S.L.N.T. Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Dhanbad (Jharkhand), India. Email ID: [email protected], ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3618-2171 © The Authors. Published by Lattice Science Publication (LSP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Due to the high prices of chemical fertilisers and increasing environmental concerns related to their use [3], they have been phased out. Applied microbiology in such situations offers a sustainable avenue for enhancing soil fertility and overall agronomic performance. Microbial inoculants and biocontrol products have proven to have immense potential in increasing soil fertility, enhancing plant health, and stabilising yields. PGPR, AMF, cyanobacteria, and many others, such as Trichoderma and Bacillus, are involved in nutrient mobilisation, stress resistance, and antagonism against soil-borne disease management [4]. These microorganisms need to be applied in local agricultural systems in Jharkhand to achieve food security and sustainable livelihoods [7]. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS This review synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed journals, extension reports, and scholarly monographs in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar on microbial innovations beneficial in Eastern India [3]. The analysis framework included: A. Their identification as major microbial groups like nitrogen fixers, PSB, AMF, cyanobacteria, and biocontrol agents. B. Their modes such as nutrient mobilisation, suppression of disease, and improvement of soil health [2]. C. A review of case studies from other comparable rainfed agro-ecosystems with similar soils and climate attributes like Jharkhand. D. A summarisation of their roles and contributions in tabular and conceptual framework formats. III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A. Soil Constraints and Microbial Solutions The soils of Jharkhand are generally low in organic matter and acidic, which reduces phosphorus availability and causes a micronutrient imbalance [1]. Microbial amendments undo these situations. PSB and AMF solubilise phosphorus available in the soil through phosphatase activity and release of organic acids, while Zn-mobilising bacteria increase micronutrient availability [4]. AMF glomalin and bacterial exopolysaccharides improve soil structure, infiltration of water, and resistance to drought—functions vital to a region with an uneven rainfall regime [5]. B. Yield Stabilisation and Nutrient-Use Efficiency PGPMs have been found to increase nutrient-use efficiency by 10-25% and crop yield by 5-20% upon inoculation with moderate rates of fertilisers [4]. These effects are all initially due to the stimulation Role of Applied Microbiology for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Jharkhand 30 Published By: Lattice Science Publication (LSP) © Copyright: All rights reserved. Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijb.B106005021025 DOI: 10.54105/ijab.B1060.05021025 Journal Website: www.ijb.latticescipub.com of root growth by IAA and ACC deaminase activity, as well as greater P and Zn absorption, and improved seedling health at early growth stages [2]. In rice fields, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, such as Anabaena and Nostoc, have also been reported to increase yields by 15-20% [6]. C. Suppression of Disease and Plant Defence Trichoderma species suppress soil-borne diseases by mycoparasitism and induce systemic resistance (ISR). Similarly, Bacillus and Pseudomonas species synthesise antibiotics and siderophores that suppress disease-inducing microbes. The application of Trichoderma is efficient in controlling wilt and root rot of pulse crops, which are most susceptible in Jharkhand soils [8]. D. Consortia Versus Single Inoculants Microbial consortia, as a general rule, can perform better than single-strain inoculants if species compatibility is guaranteed. Some examples include PSB + Zn-mobilizer and Trichoderma on chickpea, as well as PSB + K/Si-solubilizer, cyanobacteria, and AMF on rice [9]. Success under field conditions depends on the quality of the inoculant, inoculant shelf life, and timely application [10]. E. Soil Health Improvement Microbial inoculants are at the core of soil structure restoration, organic matter cycling, and microbial diversity [5]. Persistent use over time generates higher organic carbon and more efficient enzymatic action—both critical for the rehabilitation of Jharkhand's degraded lateritic soils [11]. F. "Microbial First 40-Days" Strategy Effective plant-microbe interaction is most important during the initial 40 days after sowing or transplanting. The root practices on which this relies are: i. Seed treatment: Double coat with Trichoderma (1 to 2 g/kg seed) and PGPR slurry [7]. ii. Root/Nursery inoculation: AMF dipping at transplanting [4]. iii. Field application: Cyanobacteria slurry following puddling in rice; lime micro-dosing in pulses [6]. iv. Residue management: Maintain crop residues and minimise broad-spectrum fungicides [5]. G. Social and Institutional Enablers Local production units can disseminate indigenous strains, and self-help among women can undertake carrier preparation and marketing [9]. Public procurement programmes, such as seed replacement and pulse promotion, can incorporate microbial inputs into routine programmes [10]. Even though weather advisories help improve effectiveness, poor extension networks and limited awareness still hinder progress [12]. H. Environmental Co-Benefits The use of microbial inoculants reduces the need for chemical fertilisers, increases soil organic carbon content, and promotes on-farm biological diversity [5]. Phosphorus utilisation efficiency by PSB and AMF also decreases the runoff of nutrients and the risk of eutrophication [4]. Table I: Functional Microbial Groups and their Functions Functional Group Representative Microbes Role in Agriculture Target Crops Nitrogen-fixers Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum Biological nitrogen fixation Pulses, rice Phosphatesolubilizers Bacillus, Pseudomonas Increase P availability All field crops AMF Rhizophagus, Funneliformis Phosphorus uptake, drought tolerance Cereals, pulses Biocontrol agents Trichoderma, Bacillus Suppress pathogens, ISR Pulses, vegetables Cyanobacteria Anabaena, Nostoc Nitrogen fixation in paddy Rice [Fig.1: Yield Improvement by Microbial Inoculants (Literature-Based) (Bar Chart Showing Yield Increase (%): Rhizobium (12), AMF (10), Cyanobacteria (~14))] [Fig.2: Mechanisms of Applied Microbiology for Sustainable Agriculture in Jharkhand (Conceptual Diagram Linking Applied Microbiology to Nutrient Acquisition, Disease Suppression, Stress Tolerance, and Soil Health Improvement, Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture in Jharkhand)] IV. CONCLUSION Applied microbiology offers a valuable and cost-effective approach to promoting sustainable farm development in Jharkhand. Microbial inoculants, such as PGPR, AMF, cyanobacteria, and biocontrol agents, can amend soil-borne diseases, enhance nutrient flow, and reduce disease pressure, resulting in yield increases of 5 to 20% and a 10 to 25% enhancement in nutrient-use efficiency. These methods enhance agro-ecological resilience while reducing chemical dependence [5]. Indian Journal of Advanced Botany (IJAB) ISSN: 2582-9475, Volume-5 Issue-2, October, 2025 31 Published By: Lattice Science Publication (LSP) © Copyright: All rights reserved. Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijb.B106005021025 DOI: 10.54105/ijab.B1060.05021025 Journal Website: www.ijb.latticescipub.com For mass-scale adoption, efforts must prioritise the quality maintenance of the inoculant, extension support, and farmer capacity building [9]. Self-help among women and community-based production units can be force multipliers for this revolution. With the synergistic integration of microbial technologies [12], Jharkhand can enable food security, enhance farm profitability, and ensure environmental sustainability, all in alignment with the global Sustainable Development Goals [7]. DECLARATION STATEMENT After aggregating input from all authors, I must verify the accuracy of the following information as the article's author. ▪ Conflicts of Interest/ Competing Interests: Based on my understanding, this article has no conflicts of interest. ▪ Funding Support: This article has not been sponsored or funded by any organisation or agency. The independence of this research is crucial for affirming its impartiality, as it was conducted without any external influence. ▪ Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate: The data provided in this article is exempt from the requirement for ethical approval or participant consent. ▪ Data Access Statement and Material Availability: The adequate resources of this article are publicly accessible. ▪ Author's Contributions: The authorship of this article is attributed only to the author REFERENCES 1. Kim, H. J., Lynch, A. M., & White, J. A. (2020). Harnessing microbial symbioses for sustainable agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 588. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00588 2. Lugtenberg, B., & Kamilova, F. (2016). Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Annual Review of Microbiology, 63, 541–556. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.micro.62.081307.162918 3. Tilman, D., Balzer, C., Hill, J., & Befort, B. L. (2017). 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Journal of Extension Education, 34, 112– 118. https://www.extensioneducation.org/index.php/jee AUTHOR’S PROFILE Dr. Monalisha Saha is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany at S.S.L.N.T. Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Holding an M.Sc. and a PhD in Botany from Ranchi University, she specialises in plant-microbe interactions, applied microbiology, soil health, plant pathology, and microbiology. With over five years of experience in teaching and research, Dr Saha has published extensively in national and international journals on ethnobotanical and nutraceutical legumes, medicinal plants of Jharkhand, and seed-borne pathogenicity in cowpea. A member of the Indian Botanical Society. Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of the Lattice Science Publication (LSP)/ journal and/ or the editor(s). 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